Open the bedroom windows in the early morning
to admire the views from your balcony over the garden and beyond, to the beautiful bay of Baiona.

Walk through the foothills
Some good footpaths can be reached from the house and climb up through the hills above. Your effort will be rewarded by the lovely views over the Ria.

With Baiona so close by, why not take an evening stroll
along the seafront there with great views over the bay and the boats arriving in the Marina. It's around 12 kms long so you might feel the need to stop for a cool glass of local wine in one of the cafés which line the street.

Discover the beaches of Baiona town.
There are 6 stretches of sand in the town itself, sheltered from the wind and currents. The 'pirate' Francis Drake landed on the Santa Marta beach in an attempt to attack Baiona. The beach is now one of many Blue Flag beaches in the area.

Explore the regional capital Vigo,
the second largest fishing port in the world. Soak up the atmosphere of the cobbled streets around the Rua Pescaderia and walk through the adjacent park to capture some amazing views of the Ria.

Sample some of the best sea food available in Europe
in the many tapas bars and restaurants of Vigo, much of which is uniquely bred in the local Rias. Try the oysters, delicious with a glass of the local Ribeiro wine!

In 1493 a ship called the Pinta
made its way into Baiona port to announce the discovery of the New World. You can visit a replica of the vessel in Baiona Harbour decked out as it was in the days of Christopher Columbus, with models of the crew, native Americans and even the exotic animals of the newly discovered land.

Indulge yourself in one of the many spas in the region
which claim to offer benefits not only to your skin but also to your general well-being. Most of all though it is a perfect way to relax. There is one just outside Baiona (Talaso Atlantico) with a sea-water swimming pool and a gym included . It also offers child minding facilities and an excellent restaurant too.

The beach of the Friars, in Baiona town,
just 80 metres wide, was the favourite bathing place of the Franciscan monks who lived in the nearby Fort of Monterreal. They reached the beach via a door in the fortress walls. The monks had moved by the mid 19th century but the door is still in existence

Walking routes on the Island of Ons.
Although the beaches are so inviting there are excellent marked walking routes to tempt you away, including the route to the lighthouse, nature and historical routes. There are also guides available to conduct guided tours if preferred.

A Ramallosa, on the way to América beach,
has a splendid medieval bridge across the Miño river and is a source for one of the many Galicia legends. It is here that women who were three months pregnant would come to perform superstitious rites in the hope of guaranteeing a safe and easy birth. Look for St. Telmo's cross on the bridge and the 'All Saints Chest' under it too.

Surfing
Patos beach close to Nigrán is the place to go. It's known as the 'beach of the waves' and there are a couple of surf schools based there too. Added bonus is the view over the Cies, plus the lovely white sand.

The best known monument of Baiona is probably the Virgen de la Roca,
inaugurated in 1930. You can climb up the 15 metres high statue and take in the views from from the boat-shaped look out point in her right hand. If you still have the energy after the climb you can take the children to the huge playground built nearby.

Vigo Museum.
Vigo is justly proud of its Museum 'Quiñones de León' housed in a Galician Manor house, one of the best preserved of its type. It has nearly 300,000 square metres of parkland and gardens, including English, French and Rose gardens. Also, every summer live performances of all types of music, dancing and theatre are held there.

Tour the grounds of the medieval Castillo de Monterreal
surrounded by the mighty walls built between the 11th and 17th centuries. There is a small charge for entrance but it is well worth the visit for the beautiful views and the amazing sunsets over the Ria.

Explore the regional capital Vigo,
the second largest fishing port in the world. Soak up the atmosphere of the cobbled streets around the Rua Pescaderia and walk through the adjacent park to capture some amazing views of the Ria.

Flanking the seaside town of A Guarda is Santa Tecla Hill,
a Celtic settlement now restored and with a museum and a shrine, one of the best of its type in Galicia. The entry price is very low and the views from the top of the hill over the River Miño towards Portugal and the Atlantic are wonderful.

Take a ferry from Baiona to the Cies Islands,
now a National Park, to enjoy a lazy day on the fabulous beaches of fine white sand. Or walk through the sand dunes to sweet-smelling eucalyptus groves, watch for rare species of birds or enjoy a meal in the islands' restaurant.

Visit the animals at Vigo Zoo,
10 kms outside of Vigo city. This is the only zoo in Galicia and is dedicated to the conservation of threatened species.

Pottery.
Pay a visit to the gallery displaying Sargadelos ceramics in Pontevedra or Vigo. With exceptionally attractive figurines, plates and jewellery of a design unique to this part of Galicia you will find it hard to resist bringing home a piece! There's also a shop in Baiona.

Tui is a pretty border town on the edge of the Minho River.
Dating from Roman times, and one of the seven ancient capitals of Galicia, the town has much worthwhile architecture scattered through its narrow, granite lanes. If you find the Clares Convent be sure to buy some of the almond cakes made by the nuns who live there.

Seafood at O Grove
For late season visitors to Galicia, indulge yourself at O Grove which becomes seafood party central during the first two weeks of October! Seafood menus, stalls on the quayside, cookery demonstrations and delicious local wines, O Grove has them all. Expect fresh langoustines, crabs, shrimp, octopus and squid plus inshore and deep sea fish. Plus barnacles, a local delicacy.